Fredericksburg Life Drawing Salon

Sunday, December 15, 2013

I'm still very much hung up on the foreshortened pose. I might make it sound like I'm making a rational choice here, but it's really through circumstance and not my own choosing that places me at the head or foot of the model each week. That being said, I find I've gone from petrified to excited about foreshortening. Even though I still have some kinks to work through, I'm wondering what I was so afraid of?I have some very big news. We have a new home, in town, and so perfect for us. Starting on January 6th, we'll be drawing at Dragonfly Yoga Studio, 810 Caroline Street. There is a change - Figure Drawing will be starting at 7:30 and end at 10:00.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

This was the first time I really enjoyed getting "stuck" with a difficult pose. Like a lot of artists, foreshortening has always filled me with dread, probably because I'm convinced I will fail - so I often do. This time, although I still see problems with my drawing, I was able to relax, let go and feel a little more successful. The foreshortened pose certainly has a lot more drama and vitality. I guess I've let the mathematical precision of linear perspective intimidate me. I realize it comes down to one simple rule: The eye must be the sole judge. Things closer to your eye look bigger than the things farther away.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Monday's session was fun, fun, fun, largely due to the unsung hero of the night - our model, Janet. She's been modeling for us since I started the Life Drawing Session, 3 and a half years ago and we've all developed a special relationship with her which, I think, contributes a great deal to the success of our work. I once hired a model who was so obviously uncomfortable posing nude that everyone in the room seemed uncomfortable - good or bad energy is infectious and my drawings that night certainly suffered.The relationship between artist and model should be a collaboration. A model's energy can make the difference between a good drawing and a great drawing. Thanks to Janet!K.C. will be posing on Monday, Nov 25th.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

As much as I enjoy organizing life drawing, it isn't always without some frustration. The one that vexes me the most has to be the artist who only wants to draw [their idea of] the perfect body. I have to admit that I have a hard time understanding that. I guess it's because I don't expect to come away with a great work of art, or, more to the point, that I'll create a more perfect drawing with a more perfect model. I just want an improvement over the last drawing or to push myself. I'll take an interesting model over "perfect" any day, if "perfect" indeed even exists. Lucien Freud, whose models were many times less than ideal characters, were almost all chosen to paint to tell a story about himself and his values.

The drawings posted were from the Nov 11th session. It was a big group and my thanks to Sarah for staying calm through it all. Janet is feeling better and will be posing for us on the 18th.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

We had a large group (for downsizing) with artists circling the room and several on the floor. As the model got ready to remove her robe she said, more to herself than anyone, "taking the robe off is the hardest part - the rest is easy".I respect just how hard that first moment can be, everyone's nightmare is suddenly being naked in a room full of people. That moment can even be a little uncomfortable for the artist as well - the moment from when the model removes their robe to when he or she fall into the first pose is the moment where the person becomes the pose or more literally "the work of art" and everything else falls away. Giacometti said it best, "At first one sees the person who is modeling; but little by little, all of the possible sculptures that could be made come between artist and model."The drawings posted are from the November 4th session. Many thanks to Emily for her wonderful poses.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

I find it fascinating how much working within a group can inspire, motivate, challenge and push the creative endeavors of the individual artist. An artist's work can be isolating and I think most artists need more time alone than other people, I know I do. I need to be alone to get things done but I also find that with all of that "alone time" I might obsess about or over analyze a problem. It's so important to connect with a group. They can offer new insights into problem solving, talk through a creative block or just to work with others who share a similar goal - to keep learning and improving.

Thanks to everyone who attended the drawing session this week and our thanks to K.C. for absolutely perfect poses.